Replaceable heat exchange cartridge employed in a heat exchange system for temperature control of a perishable fluid

ABSTRACT

A method for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid and a perishable product fluid. The method comprises providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure 5 of a heat exchanger and providing the perishable product fluid to a tube 53 comprising a flexible portion in the enclosure 51. The method comprises exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube 53 and interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube 53. The method further comprises compressing the flexible portion of the tube 53 to decrease a volume of the tube 3 and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid out of the tube 53. The method may comprise changing the heat exchange fluid at a first temperature to a heat exchange fluid at a second temperature different than the first temperature.

The invention relates to a method for exchanging heat between a firstfluid e.g. a heat exchange fluid and a second fluid e.g. a perishableproduct fluid, the method comprising:

providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of a heat exchanger;

providing the perishable product fluid to a tube in the enclosure;

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and theperishable product fluid in the tube;

interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube.

Heat exchangers may be used for cooling, heating and/or energy recoveryin, for example perishable product fluid streams. The heat exchanger mayuse the first fluid e.g. a heat exchange fluid to cool or heat thesecond fluid with, for example, a perishable product fluid such as forexample coffee products, soup, sauces, diary products, chocolate,smoothies, juices, glucoses, ice cream or blood flowing trough the tube.Not excluding chemicals and other liquid products that might deterioratein time under influence of temperature. During an interrupt of themethod of exchanging heat the perishable product fluid that is left inthe tube of the heat exchanger may suffer from quality loss.

Its an objective of the invention to provide an improved method forexchanging heat.

Accordingly there is provided a method for exchanging heat between aheat exchange fluid and a perishable product fluid, the methodcomprising:

providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of a heat exchanger;

providing the perishable product fluid to a tube comprising a flexibleportion in the enclosure;

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and theperishable product fluid in the tube;

interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube; and

compressing the flexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume of thetube and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid outof the tube.

By compressing the flexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume ofthe tube and to press the perishable product fluid out of the tube thequantity of perishable product fluid in the tube may be lowered. Thissignificantly decreases the risk that the fluid perishes e.g. losesquality.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided aremovable heat exchange cartridge for providing a temperature controlledperishable product fluid, the removable heat exchange cartridge beingengageable with a base unit, the cartridge comprising a product fluidinlet for receiving the perishable product fluid, a product fluid outletto provide the temperature controlled perishable product fluid, and atube to supply the product fluid from the product fluid inlet to theproduct fluid outlet through an enclosure so as during use to exchangeheat between a heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and the perishableproduct fluid in the tube, wherein the tube comprises a flexible portionwith a flexibility such that the volume of the tube decreases if theflexible portion of the tube is compressed. By compressing the flexibleportion of the tube to decrease a volume of the tube and to press theperishable product fluid out of the tube the quantity of perishableproduct fluid in the tube may be lowered. If nonetheless the removableheat exchange cartridge may be contaminated with some product fluid ofless quality the heat cartridge may be replaced with another.

According to yet a further embodiment there is provided a heat exchangesystem comprising a base unit and the removable heat exchange cartridge,wherein the base unit comprises a base unit heat exchange outlet toengage with the heat exchange inlet of the heat exchange cartridge and abase unit heat exchange inlet to engage with the heat exchange outlet ofthe heat exchange cartridge to provide heat exchange fluid to theenclosure. If nonetheless the removable heat exchange cartridge may becontaminated with some product fluid of less quality the heat cartridgeof the heat exchange system may be replaced with another.

According to yet a further embodiment there is provided a method forexchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid and a perishable productfluid, the method comprising:

providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of a heat exchanger ata first temperature;

providing the perishable product fluid to a tube in the enclosure;

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid at the first temperaturein the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube;

interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube;

changing the heat exchange fluid at a first temperature to a heatexchange fluid at a second temperature different from the firsttemperature;

providing the heat exchange fluid at a second temperature to theenclosure; and

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid at the secondtemperature in the enclosure and the product fluid in the tube.

By changing the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the heatexchanger the residue of the perishable product fluid in the tube may bekept longer good. The second temperature is a temperature where theproduct fluid is less likely to perish.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in whichcorresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a heat exchanger accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of a heat exchange systemcomprising a base unit and a removable heat exchange cartridge accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic representation of a tube with a flexibleportion for use in the heat exchanger;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a schematic representation of removable heatexchange cartridges according to further embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic representation of an apparatus with a heatexchange system for dosing a perishable fluid for consumption;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a schematic representation of a heat exchangesystem according to yet a further embodiment; and,

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a cross section of a removable cartridgeaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 1 depicts a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of theinvention. The heat exchanger comprises a flexible enclosure 1 and aflexible thin walled tube 3. The tube 3 may have any shape and lengthand has a contact surface enclosed within a flexible bag like enclosure1. Both the tube 3 and the enclosure 1 may be manufactured from materialthat is flexible and substantially not permeable for liquids and/orgasses. The second fluid e.g a perishable product fluid may be heated orcooled by the heat exchanger and is fed through the tube 3 via the inlet5 and outlet 7. The heat exchanger may be provided with a control deviceto control a volume of the first fluid e.g. heat exchange fluid in theenclosure 1 to control the second fluid in the tube 3. For example, avolume of the second fluid in the tube 3 may be controllable bycontrolling the volume of the first fluid in the enclosure 1 by thecontrol device. Further a flow or flow speed of the second fluid throughthe tube 3 may be controllable by controlling the volume of the firstfluid in the enclosure 1 by the control device. The heat exchanger mayhave a combined function of exchanging heat between a first and a secondfluid and of transporting or dosing the second fluid.

The control device may be provided with a first fluid pump 9 to pump thefirst fluid in or out of the enclosure 1 via the enclosure opening 11.The control device may be provided with a moveable press, which mayfunction as an external force generator to press the first and/or secondfluid out of the heat exchanger. The moveable press may be providedwith, for example a press wheel which may be moveable over the exteriorof the enclosure 1 so as to squeeze first and/or second fluids out ofthe heat exchanger. The press may comprise two surfaces which may bemoved towards each other while the enclosure 1 is positioned in betweenthe surfaces so that first and/or second fluids are squeezed out of theenclosure 1. The two surfaces of the press may be connected with ahinge. Alternatively a passive external force may be exerted to pressthe first and/or second fluid out of the heat exchanger. The heatexchanger may be provided with a spring or a memory material to exertthe passive external force.

The enclosure 1 may be provided with a second opening 15 connected to avalve 17 for allowing the first fluid out the enclosure 1. The valve 17may, optionally, be a one way valve. The tube 3 may be operableconnected to a container 21. Under influence of an external pressure forexample via pump 19 the second fluid may be pumped from the container 21in the tube 3. The tube 3 may be provided within the enclosure 1 or maybe extending along the outer perimeter of the enclosure 1. The controldevice may be provided with a controller 23 for controlling the volumeof the first fluid in the enclosure 1. The controller 23 may be operableconnected to the first fluid pump 9 so as to control pumping of thefirst fluid into the enclosure 1.

The first fluid pump 9 may be a two way pump and the valve 17 may be aone way valve which allows the first fluid flow out of the enclosure 1and restricts the first fluid going back into the enclosure 1. Thecontroller 23 may control the first fluid pump 9 to pump the first fluidinto the enclosure 1 via the enclosure opening 11 and further via thesecond opening 15 and the valve 17 back. The pump 9, enclosure 1 andvalve 17 may be part of a first fluid circuitry comprising a hot fluidstorage 27 and/or a cold fluid storage 29. The controller 23 may beoperable connected to the valve 17 to control its working.

The hot fluid storage 27 may be provided with a heater 31 to heat thefirst fluid in the hot fluid storage 27. The cold fluid storage 29 maybe provided with a cooler 33 to remove heat from the first fluid in thecold fluid storage 29. The heater 31 and/or the cooler may be operableconnected to, and controlled by the controller 23. The first fluidcircuitry may comprise a valve 35 for directing the first fluid from theenclosure 1 to the hot fluid storage 27 or the cold fluid storage 29.The first fluid circuitry comprises a valve 37 for directing the firstfluid from the hot fluid storage 27 or the cold fluid storage 29 to theenclosure 1 via an external pressure on the first fluid, for examplegenerated by the first fluid pump 9. Further, external pressure, forinstance created by the second fluid pump 19 may be controlled by thecontroller 23 to pump the second fluid into the tube 3 from thecontainer 21 so as to allow heat to be exchanged between the first andsecond fluid. The second fluid will be delivered or dosed via theoptional valve 25. The optional valve 25 and or the second fluid pump 19may be operable connected to the controller 23. The controller maycontrol the working of the optional valve 25 and or the second fluidpump 19.

If no more of the second fluid may be necessary, the dose may beadjusted and/or the container 21 may be empty, the second fluid pump 19may be stopped by the controller 23. The controller 23 may change thedirection of the first fluid pump 9 so that the first fluid in theenclosure 1 will be pumped out of the enclosure 1 via the enclosureopening 11. The one way valve 17 may restrict the flow of the firstfluid back into the enclosure 1 from the first fluid circuitry and thevolume of first fluid in the enclosure may decrease. An externalpressure F, for example the atmospheric pressure F may decrease the sizeof the enclosure 1 if the first fluid is being removed which may resultin a reduction of the volume of the second fluid in the tube 3 and afurther flow of the second fluid out of the tube 3. This may beadvantageously if the second fluid is a product which may deteriorateover time, if left in the tube. Spill may be reduced by removing thesecond fluid from the tube 3 and/or by cooling the second fluid in thetube 3 so that it is less likely to deteriorate. The energy efficiencymay also be increased by removing first and second fluids from the heatexchanger because less hot or cold fluids are left in the enclosure 1 orthe tube 3. If the heat exchanger will be changing from heating tocooling mode operation it is beneficial to remove much of the heat inthe heat exchanger before cooling starts so that less heat needs to beremoved from the heat exchanger before cooling may start. By exchangingfirst fluids, for instance from heating to cooling, new settings for theheat exchanger may be quickly chosen. The relative temperature of thefirst fluid with respect to the first fluid in the hot fluid storage 27or the cold fluid storage 29 may determine whether the first fluid fromthe pump 9 will be flowing by the valve 37 to the hot fluid storage 27or the cold fluid storage 29. The valves 35 and/or 37 may be operableconnected to, and controlled by the controller 23.

The heat exchanger may be able to continuously heat and or cool thesecond fluid transported through the tube 3 by allowing it to exchangeheat with the first fluid in the enclosure 1, surrounding the tube 3.When discontinuing the continuous operation mode by stopping the inletof the second fluid into the tube 3, independently the first fluid maybe removed from the heat exchanger in a controlled way. The second fluidstill in the tube 3 may be pushed out of the heat exchanger by removingthe first fluid from the enclosure 1, causing the tube 3 to compress ina controlled way. The second fluid may be pressed from the tube 3 of theheat exchanger in a controlled way and it may be possible to use theheat exchanger for dosing purposes.

When a volume of first and second fluids may be reduced from the heatexchanger, the heat content of the heat exchanger may be minimalallowing for very quick temperature adjustment of the heat exchangeritself, with minimal loss of energy. This may be supported by providingstorage in storage 27 and 29 for the first fluid from the enclosure 1.This implicates that the circuitry for pumping the first fluid is open.Other solution is a closed system with an expansion vessel. Theenclosure 1 may be provided with a venting valve to allow for air to bevented from the enclosure 1 when filling the enclosure. Also the tube 3may be provided with a venting valve if necessary.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of a heat exchange systemcomprising a base unit 47 and a removable heat exchange cartridge 49according to an embodiment. The removable heat exchange cartridge 49 isbeing engageable with the base unit 47. The cartridge 49 comprises aproduct fluid inlet 55 for receiving the perishable product fluid, aproduct fluid outlet 57 to provide the temperature controlled perishableproduct fluid. There is a tube 53 to supply the product fluid from theproduct fluid inlet 55 to the product fluid outlet 57 through anenclosure 51 so as during use to exchange heat between a heat exchangefluid in the enclosure 51 and the perishable product fluid in the tube53. The tube 53 may comprise a flexible portion with a flexibility suchthat the volume of the tube 53 decreases if the flexible portion of thetube is compressed. The enclosure 51 may be provided with an enclosureinlet 65, 77 to provide a heat exchange fluid to the enclosure 51 and anenclosure outlet 61, 79 for allowing a heat exchange fluid to exit theenclosure 51. The enclosure inlet 65, 77 is constructed and arranged forengagement with a base unit heat exchange fluid outlet 73 and theenclosure outlet 61, 79 is constructed and arranged for engagement witha base unit heat exchange fluid inlet 75.

The removable heat exchange cartridge 49 may comprise a flexible wallfor the enclosure 51. By having a flexible wall the volume of theenclosure 51 may be varied and therefore the quantity of heat exchangefluid in the enclosure may be varied. The latter is advantageous if theworking temperature of the heat exchanger is changed. The flexibleportion of the tube 53 and the flexible wall of the enclosure 51 mayhave a flexibility such that the volume of the flexible portion of thetube 53 may decrease if the pressure in the enclosure 51 is decreasedwith respect to the pressure outside the enclosure causing the enclosureto shrink and compress the flexible portion to press substantially theperishable product out of the tube 53. In this way by decreasing thepressure in the enclosure the tube 53 may be compressed such that asubstantial part of the perishable product fluid may be pressed out ofthe tube. Reducing the volume of the enclosure 51 and the tube 53 may beuseful if the working temperature of the heat exchanger is changed. Itmay also be useful to prevent decay of the perishable product in thetube 53 of the heat exchange system.

The removable heat exchange cartridge 49 may be provided with anattaching mechanism 69 to removably engage the cartridge to a base unit47 via the base unit attachment mechanism 67. As depicted the attachingmechanism may be provided to the enclosure 51 at the top side howeveralternatively it may be provided on the side of the enclosure 51.

The flexible portion of the tube 53 may have flexibility such that thevolume of the flexible portion may decrease if the pressure in theenclosure 51 is larger than the pressure in the tube 53. In this way theflexible portion may be compressed to press a substantial part of theperishable fluid out of the tube 53 preventing decay of the perishableproduct in the tube 53

The flexible portion of the tube may be used for dosing the perishableproduct fluid. This may be useful if, for example the tube will besubstantially emptied by compressing the tube 53. The volume of theflexible portion of the tube may therefore have a volume which issmaller or equal to one dose so that it may be possible to substantiallyempty the tube by serving one dose. Waste may be minimized at aninterrupt of the fluid by substantially emptying the tube while servinga last dose.

The tube 53 may be connected to perishable product fluid inlet 55 and atube connector 81 to provide the perishable product to the tube 53. Thebase unit perishable product fluid outlet 85 may be engageable to thetube connector 81 to provide the perishable product fluid from the baseunit 47 to the tube 53. From the tube 53 the perishable product fluidmay be provided via product fluid outlet 57 and the product outletconnector 83 to a base unit product inlet connector 87. The perishableproduct fluid may also be directly poured in a container from theproduct fluid outlet 57. Optionally via a closing valve (not shown).

The base unit 47 may be provided with a pump 59 and/or a valve tocontrol the quantity and/or the pressure of the heat exchange fluid inthe enclosure 51 so as to control the quantity of the product fluid inthe tube 53. The base unit may have a control device 71 connected to thepump and/or the valve to control the timely dosing of the perishableproduct fluid and the volume of the flexible portion of the tube 53 inthe enclosure 51 by controlling the provision of heat exchange fluidfrom the base unit to the heat exchange cartridge 49. The base unit 47may comprises a heat storage to store a relatively hot heat exchangefluid and a cold storage to store a relatively cold heat exchange fluid.The control device may be programmed to control an exchange ofrelatively hot heat exchange fluid in the enclosure with relatively coldheat exchange fluid in the enclosure, and/or vice versa. The controldevice may be connected to the pump. For more details with respect tothe above mentioned items reference is made to FIG. 1 for the controldevice 23, the pump 9, the valve 17 and the heat and cold storage 27, 29respectively. The base unit 47 may comprise a control device 71connected to the pump 59 and/or the valve to control interruptingproviding the perishable product fluid to the tube 53 in the enclosure51.

During use of the heat exchange system, heat between a heat exchangefluid and a perishable product fluid will be exchanged by a methodcomprising:

providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure 51 of a heatexchanger;

providing the perishable product fluid to a tube 53 comprising aflexible portion in the enclosure 51;

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and theperishable product fluid in the tube 53;

interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube 53; and

compressing the flexible portion of the tube 53 to decrease a volume ofthe tube and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluidout of the tube 53. By compressing the flexible portion of the tube todecrease a volume of the tube and to press the perishable product fluidout of the tube the quantity of perishable product fluid in the tube maybe lowered. First, providing the perishable product fluid will beinterrupted, secondly the flexible portion of the tube will becompressed.

Compressing the flexible portion of the tube may comprise decreasing thequantity of the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure causing theenclosure to shrink and compress the flexible portion of the tube.Compressing the flexible portion of the tube may comprise increasing thequantity of the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and shrink theflexible portion of the tube. In both cases rather simple mechanisms areused to compress the flexible portion of the tube 53. A pump and somevalves may be sufficient to accomplish this.

Compressing the flexible portion of the tube 53 may comprise increasingthe pressure of the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and shrink theflexible portion of the tube. The latter may be done with a relativelyinflexible enclosure 51. Compressing the flexible portion of the tube 53may also comprise decreasing the pressure of the heat exchange fluid inthe enclosure causing the enclosure to shrink and compress the flexibleportion of the tube. Since a pump may already be used for the heatexchange liquid decreasing the pressure may be done with said pump.Alternatively an external force may be used to decrease a volume of thetube and to press the perishable product fluid out of the tube.Compressing the flexible portion of the tube may be used for dosing theperishable product fluid.

During use of the heat exchange system the method for exchanging heatbetween a heat exchange fluid and a perishable product fluid maycomprise:

providing the heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of a heat exchanger ata first temperature;

providing the perishable product fluid to a tube in the enclosure;

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid at the first temperaturein the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube;

interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube;

changing the heat exchange fluid at a first temperature to a heatexchange fluid at a second temperature different than the firsttemperature;

providing the heat exchange fluid at a second temperature to theenclosure; and

exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid at the secondtemperature in the enclosure and the residue of the product fluid in thetube. By changing the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the heatexchanger the perishable product fluid in the tube may be kept longergood. The method may be used in combination with compressing theflexible portion of the tube in the enclosure or may be usedindependently. The second temperature may be a temperature at which theperishable product is less sensitive to decay than the firsttemperature. As an example the product fluid can be cooled to atemperature where decay does not occur anymore or the product fluid canbe heated to such a temperature where for instance bacteria growth doesnot take place anymore. In this way the perishable product fluid in thetube may be kept longer good. A volume of perishable product fluid inthe tube may be minimized by compressing a flexible portion of the tubeafter interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube.The perishable product may comprise one or more of coffee products,soup, sauces, diary products, chocolate, smoothies, juice, glucoses, icecream and blood. The method may comprise dosing the perishable productfluid by compressing the flexible portion of the tube. The heatexchanger may be a removable heat exchange cartridge and the methodcomprises removing the removable heat exchange cartridge from a baseunit.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic representation of a tube 53 with a flexibleportion for use in the heat exchanger cartridge. The tube is providedwith a tube inlet 55 and a tube outlet 57. The tube may be provided withbends in a labyrinth shape so as to optimize the heat exchange. The tubemay be made from a food or medical approved, rubber, silicone, orplastic, for example. The plastic product may be polypropylene orpolyethylene. The tube 53 may be made out of two plastic foils 54. Thetube may also be created by providing two foils on top of each other andpartially joining the two foils so as to create the tube between thefoils and the place where the foils are joined. The latter may, forexample be done by joining or welding the two foils along two lineswhereby the tube is created in between the lines. The heat exchangecartridge may be biodegradable.

FIG. 4a depicts a schematic representation of a removable heat exchangecartridge according to further embodiment. The tube 55 is provided inbetween two foils 54 and provided within the enclosure 51. Theperishable product fluid is flowing from the product fluid inlet 55 tothe product fluid outlet 57. The heat exchange fluid is flowing ingenerally the same direction from enclosure inlet 65 to enclosure outlet61. The general direction of both may be from up to down such that theflow of both is supported by gravity.

FIG. 4b depicts a schematic representation of a removable heat exchangecartridge according to further embodiment. The tube 55 is provided inbetween two foils 54 and provided within the enclosure 51. Theperishable product fluid is flowing from the product fluid inlet 55 tothe product fluid outlet 57. The heat exchange fluid is flowing ingenerally in the counter direction from enclosure inlet 65 to enclosureoutlet 61. Providing the heat exchange fluid in counter flow withrespect to the product fluid is more energy efficient because of a moreconstant delta temperature.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a schematic representation of an apparatuswith a heat exchange system for dosing a perishable liquid forconsumption. The apparatus is provided with a storage space 21 forstoring the perishable product fluid and via the base unit perishableproduct fluid outlet 85 which may be engageable to the tube inlet 81 theperishable product fluid may be provided to tube 53 of the removableheating cartridge 49. From the tube 53 the perishable product fluid maybe provided to a drinking cup 70 via the product fluid outlet 57.Optionally, via a closing valve (not shown) in the product fluid outlet57.

Heat may be exchanged with the perishable product fluid by having anenclosure inlet 65 to provide a heat exchange fluid to the enclosure 51and an enclosure outlet 61 for allowing a heat exchange fluid to exitthe enclosure 51. The enclosure inlet 65 is constructed and arranged forengagement with a base unit water outlet and the enclosure outlet 61 isconstructed and arranged for engagement with a base unit water inlet(not shown).

If dosing perishable product fluids in the drinking cup 70 isinterrupted by the controller it is advantageous to empty the tube 53.The tube 53 may therefore comprise a flexible portion with flexibilitysuch that the volume of the tube 53 decreases if the flexible portion ofthe tube is compressed. Compressing the flexible portion of the tube maybe accomplished by decreasing the quantity of the heat exchange fluid inthe enclosure causing a flexible enclosure to shrink and compress theflexible portion of the tube. After substantially emptying the tube 53and the enclosure 51 the temperature in the removable heat exchangecartridge 49 may be changed to a temperature in which the residue of theperishable product fluid in the tube may suffer from less decay. Thetemperature of the heat exchange liquid and the residue of theperishable product fluid in the tube may be changed. For example, if theperishable product fluid may be consumed hot the perishable productfluid may suffer less decay if it is cooled to relatively lowtemperatures (e.g. lower than 7 degrees Celcius, which temperature isdepending on the tendency to perish of the product fluid). If theinterruption is very long (e.g. 1 day which period is depending on thetendency to perish of the product fluid) the heat exchange cartridge mayanyway get contaminated with the residue of the perishable productfluid. The removable heat exchange cartridge may therefore be removedfrom the base unit 47 of the apparatus. The heat exchange cartridge isfor this purpose provided with attaching mechanism 69 to removablyengage the cartridge to a base unit 47 via the base unit attachmentmechanism 67. A clean removable heat exchange cartridge 49 may later onbe positioned in the base unit 47 after the interruption has ended. Thebase unit perishable product fluid outlet 85 may be connected to the newheat exchange cartridge and the enclosure inlet 65 and the enclosureoutlet 61 may be connected to the heat exchange system.

Alternatively, one may clean the heat exchange cartridge by flushing thetube with water. The flushing may be done in place or the cartridge maybe removed for flushing.

FIGS. 6a and 6b depict a schematic representation of a heat exchangesystem according to yet a further embodiment. The apparatus is providedwith a storage space 21 for storing the perishable product fluid and viathe perishable product fluid pump 19 the perishable product fluid may beprovided to tube 53 of the removable heating cartridge 49. From the tube53 the perishable product fluid may be provided to a container not shownvia the product fluid outlet 57. Via the pipe 60 a heat exchange fluidmay be provided via the enclosure inlet 65 to the enclosure 51. The heatexchange fluid may via enclosure outlet 61 be pumped away with pump 59.

The base unit may be provided with a contact member with a surfaceconstructed and arranged to contact with an outside wall of theenclosure 51 of the cartridge 49 and the surface of the contact memberis deformable so to change the shape of the enclosure of the removableheat exchange cartridge 49. This may be done by having a stationaryfirst plate 89 with openings and a movable push member 91 for providingpins through the holes to change the shape of the enclosure 51. The pushmember may be moved against the enclosure 51 to alter the hydrodynamicproperties of the enclosure 51 from laminar (in FIG. 6a ) to turbulent(in FIG. 6b ). One may change the heat exchange fluid at a firsttemperature to a heat exchange fluid at a second temperature differentthan the first temperature without emptying the enclosure 51. Whenchanging from cold to hot temperatures it is advantageous to bring therelatively warm heat exchange fluid on top of the colder heat exchangefluid to avoid mixing. When changing from hot to cold temperatures it isadvantageous to bring the relatively cold heat exchange fluid below thehot heat exchange fluid to avoid mixing. In that case it may be usefulto have laminar hydrodynamic properties in the enclosure so that forexample hot water may be provided on top via enclosure inlet 65, whileat the same time the relatively cold heat exchange fluid is pumped awayvia the water outlet 61. Since the water behaves laminar there will notbe much mixing between the relatively hot and cold water. Duringexchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid at the first temperaturein the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube it may beuseful to have turbulence in the enclosure 51 to enhance the heattransfer between the fluid in the enclosure 51 and the perishableproduct fluid in the tube 53.

FIG. 7a depicts a cross section of a removable cartridge according to anembodiment. The removable heat exchange cartridge is provided with anenclosure with a wall comprising two relatively inflexible wall parts 94connected with relatively flexible wall portions 95. The flexibleportion 93 of the tube is at least partially located between theinflexible wall portions 94. By reducing the pressure in the interior 96of the enclosure or increasing the pressure on the inflexible wall parts94 from outside the flexible portion 93 of the tube may be compressedbetween the relatively inflexible wall portions 94 to decrease a volumeof the tube and to press a substantial part of the perishable productfluid out of the tube.

FIG. 7b depicts a cross section of a removable cartridge according to anembodiment. The removable heat exchange cartridge is provided with anenclosure with a wall comprising two relatively inflexible wall parts 94connected with relatively flexible wall portions 95. The flexibleportion 98 of the tube is at least partially located between theinflexible wall portions 94. By reducing the pressure in the interior 97of the enclosure the tube 98 may be compressed and folded between therelatively inflexible wall portions 94 to decrease a volume of the tubeand to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid out ofthe tube.

It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyexemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.Embodiments may be further described by the following clauses:

1. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first and a secondfluid, the heat exchanger comprising an enclosure provided with a tubewherein the enclosure and the tube are flexible and the heat exchangeris provided with a control device to control a volume of the first fluidin the enclosure to control the second fluid in the tube.2. The heat exchanger according to clause 1, wherein a volume of thesecond fluid in the tube is controllable by controlling the volume ofthe first fluid in the enclosure with the control device.3. The heat exchanger according to clause 1, wherein a flow of thesecond fluid through the tube is controllable by controlling the volumeof the first fluid in the enclosure by the controlling device.4. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses, whereinthe control device is provided with a first fluid pump to pump the firstfluid in or out of the enclosure.5. The heat exchanger according to clause 1, wherein the control deviceis provided with an external force generator to press the first and/orsecond fluid out of the heat exchanger.6 The heat exchanger according to clause 5, wherein the external forcegenerator is a moveable press constructed and arranged to press thefirst and/or second fluid out of the heat exchanger.7. The heat exchanger according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein a passiveexternal force is exerted to press the first and/or second fluid out ofthe heat exchanger.8. The heat exchanger according to clause 7, wherein the heat exchangeris provided with a spring or a memory material to exert the passiveexternal force.9. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses, whereinthe enclosure is provided with a second opening connected to a valve forallowing the first fluid in or out of the enclosure.10. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the tube is connected via a second fluid pump to a container topump the second fluid from the container in the tube.11. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the tube is provided within the enclosure.12. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the control device is provided with a controller for controllingthe volume of the first fluid in the enclosure.13. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the heat exchanger is constructed and arranged to reduce avolume of the second fluid in the tube by removing the first fluid fromthe enclosure.14. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the enclosure is part of a fluid circuitry comprising a hotfluid storage and/or a cold fluid storage.15. The heat exchanger according to clause 14, wherein the fluidcircuitry comprises a valve for directing the first fluid from theenclosure to the hot fluid storage or the cold fluid storage.16. The heat exchanger according to clause 14, wherein the fluidcircuitry comprises a valve for directing the first fluid from the hotfluid storage or the cold fluid storage to the enclosure.17. The heat exchanger according to any of the preceding clauses,wherein the tube is connected to a valve for letting the second fluidout of the tube.18. A method of exchanging heat between a first and a second fluidcomprising:

providing the first fluid to an enclosure;

providing the second fluid to a tube provided to the enclosure so as toallow heat to be exchanged between the first fluid in the enclosure andthe second fluid in the tube; and,

controlling the second fluid by controlling a volume of the first fluidin the enclosure.

19. The method according to clause 18, wherein controlling the fluidcomprises controlling a volume of the second fluid in the tube.20. The method according to clause 18 or 19, wherein the methodcomprises

providing the first fluid at a first temperature to the enclosure;

reducing the volume of the first fluid in the enclosure; and,

providing the first fluid at a second temperature different than thefirst temperature to the enclosure and increase the volume of the firstfluid in the enclosure.

21. The method according to clause 20, comprising reducing a volume ofthe second fluid in the tube by reducing the volume of the first fluidin the enclosure.22. The method according to clause 20 or 21, wherein the first fluid ata first temperature is received from a heat storage and the first fluidat a second temperature is received from a cold storage or vice versa.23. The method according to clause 18, wherein controlling the secondfluid by controlling the volume of the first fluid in the enclosurecomprises dosing the second fluid.

Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein arenot intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., not excluding other elements or steps). Anyreference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting thescope of the claims or the invention. The mere fact that certainmeasures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does notindicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used toadvantage. The scope of the invention is only limited by the followingclaims.

1. A method for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid and aperishable product fluid, the method comprising: providing a replaceableheat exchange cartridge to a base unit by engaging a base unit heatexchange outlet to a heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge;and, engaging a base unit heat exchange inlet with a heat exchangeenclosure outlet of the cartridge; providing the heat exchange fluid toan enclosure of the cartridge via the base unit heat exchange outlet andthe heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge; providing theperishable product fluid to a tube comprising a flexible portion in theenclosure; exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in theenclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube; allowing theheat exchange fluid to exit the enclosure of the cartridge via the heatexchange enclosure outlet and the base unit heat exchange inlet;interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube;compressing the flexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume of thetube and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid outof the tube; and, removing the replaceable cartridge from the base unitand replacing it with another cartridge.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein compressing the flexible portion of the tube comprisesadjusting the volume of the enclosure by adjusting the quantity of heatexchange fluid in the enclosure.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein adjusting the volume of the enclosure comprises decreasing thequantity of the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure causing theenclosure to shrink and compress the flexible portion of the tube. 4.The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the volume of theenclosure comprises increasing the quantity of the heat exchange fluidin the enclosure and shrink the flexible portion of the tube.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein compressing the flexible portion ofthe tube comprises increasing the pressure of the heat exchange fluid inthe enclosure and shrink the flexible portion of the tube.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein compressing the flexible portion of thetube comprises decreasing the pressure of the heat exchange fluid in theenclosure causing the enclosure to shrink and compress the flexibleportion of the tube.
 7. The method according to claim 1, whereincompressing the flexible portion of the tube comprises compressing theheat exchanger with an external force to decrease a volume of the tubeand to press the perishable product fluid out of the tube.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method comprises dosing the perishableproduct fluid by compressing the flexible portion of the tube.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: providing theheat exchange fluid to the enclosure at a first temperature; providingthe perishable product fluid to the tube in the enclosure; exchangingheat between the heat exchange fluid at the first temperature in theenclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube; interruptingproviding the perishable product fluid to the tube; compressing theflexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume of the tube and topress a substantial part of the perishable product fluid out of thetube; and, providing the heat exchange fluid at a second temperaturedifferent from the first temperature to the enclosure to allow heat tobe exchanged between the heat exchange fluid in the enclosure and theresidue of the perishable product fluid in the tube.
 10. A replaceableheat exchange cartridge being engageable with a base unit to form a heatexchange system for providing a temperature controlled perishableproduct fluid, wherein the cartridge further comprises: a heat exchangeenclosure inlet of the cartridge to engage with a base unit heatexchange outlet to provide heat exchange fluid to an enclosure of thecartridge; a heat exchange enclosure outlet of the cartridge to engagewith a base unit heat exchange inlet to allow the heat exchange fluid toexit the enclosure; a product fluid inlet for receiving the perishableproduct fluid; a product fluid outlet to provide the temperaturecontrolled perishable product fluid; and, a tube to supply the productfluid from the product fluid inlet to the product fluid outlet throughthe enclosure so as during use to exchange heat between a heat exchangefluid in the enclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube, andthe tube comprises a flexible portion with a flexibility such that thevolume of the tube decreases if the flexible portion of the tube iscompressed.
 11. The heat exchange cartridge according to claim 10,wherein the enclosure inlet is constructed and arranged for engagementwith a base unit heat exchange outlet and the enclosure outlet isconstructed and arranged for engagement with a base unit heat exchangeinlet.
 12. The heat exchange cartridge according to claim 10, whereinthe enclosure comprises a flexible wall.
 13. The heat exchange cartridgeaccording to claim 10, wherein the heat exchange cartridge is providedwith an attaching mechanism to engage the cartridge to the base unit.14. A heat exchange system for providing a temperature controlledperishable product fluid, the system comprising a base unit and areplaceable heat exchange cartridge according to claim
 10. 15. The heatexchange system according to claim 14, wherein the flexible portion ofthe tube and the flexible wall of the enclosure have a flexibility suchthat the volume of the flexible portion of the tube may decrease if thepressure in the enclosure is decreased with respect to the pressureoutside the enclosure causing the enclosure to shrink and compress theflexible portion to press substantially the perishable product out ofthe tube.
 16. The heat exchange system according to claim 14, whereinthe enclosure is provided with a wall comprising two relativelyinflexible wall parts connected with relatively flexible wall portionsand the flexible portion of the tube is at least partially locatedbetween the inflexible wall parts.
 17. The heat exchange systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the base unit comprises a contact memberwith a surface constructed and arranged to contact with an outside wallof the enclosure of the cartridge and the surface of the contact memberis deformable so to change the shape of the enclosure of the removableheat exchange cartridge.
 18. The heat exchange system according to claim14, wherein the base unit comprises a pump and/or a valve to control thequantity and/or the pressure of the heat exchange fluid in the enclosureso as to control the quantity of the product fluid in the tube.
 19. Theheat exchange system according to claim 18 wherein the base unitcomprises a control device connected to the pump and/or the valve tocontrol the timely dosing of the perishable product fluid and the volumeof the flexible portion of the tube in the enclosure by controlling theprovision of heat exchange fluid from the base unit to the heat exchangecartridge.
 20. The heath exchange system according to claim 14 forperforming a method for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluidand a perishable product fluid, the method comprising: providing areplaceable heat exchange cartridge to a base unit by engaging a baseunit heat exchange outlet to a heat exchange enclosure inlet of thecartridge; and, engaging a base unit heat exchange inlet with a heatexchange enclosure outlet of the cartridge; providing the heat exchangefluid to an enclosure of the cartridge via the base unit heat exchangeoutlet and the heat exchange enclosure inlet of the cartridge; providingthe perishable product fluid to a tube comprising a flexible portion inthe enclosure; exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid in theenclosure and the perishable product fluid in the tube; allowing theheat exchange fluid to exit the enclosure of the cartridge via the heatexchange enclosure outlet and the base unit heat exchange inlet;interrupting providing the perishable product fluid to the tube;compressing the flexible portion of the tube to decrease a volume of thetube and to press a substantial part of the perishable product fluid outof the tube; and, removing the replaceable cartridge from the base unitand replacing it with another cartridge.